 |
|
Crete Honeymoon
The Mediterranean island of Crete is part of the 6,000 islands that make up the Greek territory and is in fact the largest of them all. With its golden stretches of sandy beaches and sheltered bays and coves, many of which have been awarded the Blue Flag, chances are you could well find your own paradise spot while spending your honeymoon there.
Dotted around the island’s wondrous coastline there is a multitude of coves, bays and peninsulas as well as the inlands snow-capped mountains, orchards of olive, lemon and orange trees and the small peaceful fishing villages are a delight to see. You may even get the chance to buy fresh fish direct from the fishermen.
The locals are warm and happy with a laid back attitude to life. They enjoy chatting with tourists and will welcome you into their family owned restaurants and bars to enjoy a traditional Cretan atmosphere.
When eating out in Crete the Tavernas prices can vary a great deal in quality and price. With the vast choices of restaurants along the sea front you may well find it more expensive than the ‘out of the way’ places tucked away in the back streets. You will also find a better quality of food is served in these local run tavernas.
A jug or glass of raki will be given to you free of charge at almost all the tavernas but be warned this is highly potent and not for the faint hearted! With alcohol strength of 70% proof this drink can sometimes be distilled illegally in backyards.
Places to Visit in Crete
There are a huge amount of places to visit during your honeymoon in Crete, here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Ruins in Crete
Aptera was once a large city now in ruins with excavations taking place among what was once three temples and a Turkish castle. The views from the Aptera where you can see the whole of the Souda bay and the White Mountains are well worth the trip.
Polirinia. Overlooking the village of Polirinia on top of a steep hill there was once a large town built in the 6th Century BC. Today there are just some graves, a few walls and the temple ruins to see but again this is another place to visit for the view alone. You get a panoramic view of the Gulf of Kissamos.
Falassarna is 55km west of Chania and boasts of its fine beach and sparking clean sea. The remains of an ancient harbour which date back to the last Minoan period can be found within a 10 minute walk from the beach.
Create Beaches
Sougia beach is a 1200m long pebble beach. Located by a small village it is known to be one of the best beaches for beautiful landscapes, clean sands and pebbles so fine they are not uncomfortable to sit/lie on. There are a few showers but no umbrellas and nudism is allowed on a large part of the beach.
Beaches of West Chania. This long and sandy beach is one of the main tourists’ spots for sunbathers and although good can become very crowded. Dotted around are communes (so called because they are too small to be villages) of hotels, apartments, bars and souvenir shops.
Geogioupolis is on the North coast. A 9km sandy beach that has a long line of hotel after hotel built on the other side of the main road.
Falasarna was rated as the second cleanest water in Greece in 1999. Beach umbrellas and various tourist paraphernalia are on offer. Not an ideal place to visit though during windy days.
Chapels, Churches and Monasteries in Crete
These are in the hundreds on this history steeped island. Dating back to over a thousand years old some of them are still standing majestically and well worth looking around. Most are locked but there will be some local that can point you in the right direction to who has the key.
Saint Magdalene Church is located in the town of Chania within the new neighbourhood of the Helepa quarters. It was built in 1903 to the Russo-Byzantine architectural style during the Prince George period.
Cathedral of Chalidon is an imposing and beautiful building that was built in the town of Chania around the 13th century. It possesses three naves which are respectively dedicated to the Presentation of the Holy Virgin, to Saint Nicholas and to the Three Hierarchs.
The Chrysoskalitissa Convent is built on a rock on the site of an old monastic community. The views from this beautiful whitewashed walled convent are breathtaking.
Things to do on your Crete Honeymoon
If you want a little more than siteseeing on your crete honeymoon, there are plenty of activities for you to take part in, here is a small selection.
Dolphin Tours. Boats leave from Rethymno harbour for dolphin tours four times a day for two and three hour trips.
The Caves of Zeus (Dictaen Cave). According to Greek mythology this is where Rhea took baby Zeus to hide him from the ill-intentioned Cronos. Symbols and icons can be seen proving the cave was once a place of worship during the Minoan times.
Samaria Gorge is the only national park in Crete. At a starting altitude of 1227m walks of up to 18km long starting at the village Omalos ends at the village beach of Agia Roumeli. Open from May to October the gorge is one experience locals recommend that visitors should enjoy. Walking between and around the river that flows into small lakes with an abundance of flowers, herbs and cypress trees all around can last all day so go prepared with good walking shoes/boots.
Pirate Ship Tours on the Barbarossa or Captain Hook vessels can be taken to Marathi or Bali with crews dressed in full pirate regalia. Trips include time out to visit small beaches with organised games and meals.
Lasithi Plateua mountain range with its vast plain of orchards peppered with over 7,000 windmills and small villages are home to the birthplace of Greek Mythology’s war god Zeus.
Water Sports such as jet skiing, banana boat rides, pedalos, kayaking, water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, scuba-diving and snorkelling.
Horse Riding. Explore the Create island countryside through olive groves and vineyards. Travel along hidden paths and trails used in ancient times by donkeys laden with cargo.
Mountain/Adventure Sports are aplenty for the more adventurous honeymooners. From rock climbing up sheer cliffs to scrambling down deep gorges, intense mountain biking to exploring off the beaten track on a 4 x 4 jeep tour.
Walking and Hiking. Springtime weather in Crete can be perfect for walking and hiking. Crete is a real walker’s paradise that can boast a massive network of ancient paths and trails either in the countryside or along the coasts.
Nightlife in Crete
Nightlife in Crete is endless and well known as one of the Greek ‘party islands’. From pop to heavy metal and traditional Greek, music from all walks of life are on offer and around every corner in the evenings. Clubs are so close to one another in certain areas that you may find yourself popping between different nightclubs every hour.
The diversity of nightlife is huge ranging from British bars to frantic foam parties or for the more peaceful the traditional Cretan music and dancing can be found and enjoyed. From all night partying centres in the high season to joining the locals in a sophisticated night scene in the northern coastal towns.
Hersonissos and Malia are the two main hot spots for package holiday party animals and both are overrun with bars and discos that cater especially for the young foreign visitors who are there for the round the clock drinking and dancing. If this is not your scene you would be best to keep well away from these areas after dark.
If you are after a night of clubbing these do not really get started until after 1am and can continue until dawn. Choices of bars run from British, Irish, Sports, cocktail, themed, techno and trance.
Known as one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, Hania is that ideal place to stroll along, take a horse drawn carriage along the harbour or join the locals for their early evening ‘volta’. This town has bars and discos scattered throughout the harbour and old quarters. During July to September open aired events such as jazz, classical and traditional music can be enjoyed as well as film screenings under the evening stars in the public gardens. This town has a thriving gay scene during this season.
Among the vibrant nightlife of the island there are tavernas and restaurants along the waterfront and in the back streets where you can sit back and unwind with a glass of wine in peaceful settings with menu’s to suit all tastes.
Crete Culture and Traditions
There is plenty of culture and local traditions in Crete, if you familiarise yourself with these you will be able to immersre yourself into the local environment and help reduce the risk of you inadvertanty causing offense to the locals!
- Orthodox Christian women still dress in the traditional black clothes and head scarves and you may see them making the sign of the cross when a bus passes. This will tell you that an accident once took place there and if you look you will find a small memorial shrine.
- If you visit one of the churches remember to dress conservatively and have your arms and legs covered. Men should be wearing trousers (not shorts) and always remove their hat before entering.
- Cretans only every use fresh vegetables with an olive oil that is pure virgin quality which they buy in large quantities to upgrade their own olive oil productions.
- Salad is always on the table during a family meal and it is only the young generation that will eat in fast food restaurants.
- The rosary or worry beads that you see Greek men sitting holding have no religious meanings but only a way to kill time.
- Greeks always pay cash when they go out to dine. They never use cheques or credit cards as not being able to pay cash in their eyes is humiliating.
- Locals do not use public toilets!
- Theft is very rare in Greece unless it is done by tourists. The Greeks consider that stealing somebody’s money or possesions is just not done.
The deep azures of the surrounding ocean, the scents of orange blossom and jasmine, mountains and swaying forests is only a small part of this beautiful island that spoils its visitors with myths, legends and history.
To visit Crete and enjoy all this with your beloved can certainly be the honeymoon of your dreams.
